Reigate Grammar School has run DofE at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels continuously for over 50 years, one of the longest running and most successful DofE school units in the UK. Countless thousands of our students have benefitted from the challenge of the Award.
These pages are to help our students and parents navigate a successful Award.
Please use the links ABOVE to see pages designed to help participants.
80 silver dofe students completed their Silver Qualifying expeditions on the South Downs in October half term. They trekked over 50 km over the hills from Lewes to Arundel, most travelling independently to and from their hike by train. Rain later on the first day dampened some spirits as groups arrived to a wet camp site in a dark. Groups navigated efficiently across the countryside and achieved good quality camp craft despite the rain. Well done teams!
Bronze qualifying expeditions October 2016: students completed canoe and hiking qualifying expeditions in ideal mostly dry cool weather. Most groups did very well, some outstanding and the vast majority passed. Others need more practice with campcraft skills, in particular the efficiency and pace with which they pitch tents after arriving at sites, regardless of the time. This is an essential skill to pass.
The fifth form had a good day at Tilgate doing team building activities and were praised for their excellent attitude.
6 groups completed their Gold dofe qualifying expedition in Mid Wales in mid august in outstanding dry sunny weather. Staff agreed that they were a delight to organise and supervise and we were really pleased with how they performed and especially with their cheerful and spirited approach to the whole venture. What a pleasure, thanks all.
Your assessors, John and Peter, were also happy with your technical performance and attitude and were delighted to pass all of you for whom this counted as qualifying. Don’t forget to complete the rest of your dofe now that you have done so well in the expedition section. You completed a verbal presentation at debrief so there is no need to do a write-up.
Gold dofe training to S Wales. 6 groups trained over 4 days around the Black Mountain. Weather good first few days, then low visibility for trek over hill tested navigation skills. Groups did well but camp craft needs attention for the qualifying expedition.
40 L6 Gold participants completed a navigation exercise on Leith Hill on Friday night. The six groups set off confidently, navigating to 8 check points in the forest where they removed markers to show they had completed each location. They were especially efficient and successful groups and, from this snapshot activity, things bode well for the Gold expeditions next year. Well done all!
85 5th year students trekked off in 14 groups across the South Downs, catching the train to Lewes, hiking for 3 days and then getting the train out from Arundel. For the most part this route is not navigationally challenging but the hike presented groups with plenty of hills and some long distances on breezy ridges, and hopefully gave some a taste of why people like to hike even when not earning an award for it! Weather was dry but chilly in the northerly wind especially if groups stopped in exposed places. Every group performed well, supporting each other and working increasingly independently as the hike progressed. Staff think this year group has been a special pleasure to work with, always polite and positive and spirited despite the challenges. Well done all.
85 Silver dofe students enjoyed a multi-activity day at Tilgate Park, Crawley for a team building challenge to hone up their skills of independence prior to the expedition next week. They enjoyed a day of canoeing, raft building, mountain biking and orienteering. Many thanks to Dynamic Adventures for running another successful day and to the supervising staff.
Over 100 students trekked off for their two day Bronze qualifying expedition 9-10 October in fine settled weather with misty damp autumn mornings. Most groups performed very well in expedition skills. Groups met the standards required in navigation and camp craft and, where they met difficulties they mostly fixed these independently. In particular, assessing staff were pleased with teams LEAVING NO TRACE at their camp. As is usual, navigation skills varied somewhat but we could see an effort to improve in groups lacking natural navigators. A willingness to improve and persevere with expedition skills is important for those going on to silver. Remember that DofE expeditions are not a race and that safe, considerate and purposeful travel across the countryside is the priority, not raw speed. Visiting every single check point is critical to safe travel, as is communication with your assessor if something goes wrong. Groups arrived at the end between 10am and 2pm, which is usual. It was heartening that many found the time to say thank you to their assessors and supervisors who had looked after them and camped out too. Well done all!
30 L6 students completed their Gold qualifying expedition in Mid Wales. The weather was excellent and even the midges were tolerable. Groups performed well and were a delight to assist and supervise. Assessors were pleased with their progress and happy to pass all groups. Well done! Don’t forget to complete your reports and upload them to your edofe pages.
Reigate Grammar School DofE 